“Integrating Gender into Agricultural Programming”
18-20 August 2014
Africa RISING with the CGIAR research program on Livestock and Fish
Gender capacity needs assessment
Objectives:
1. To identify and analyze the factors that hinder efforts to integrate gender into organization programs/projects 2. To identify approaches to strengthen staff capacity to integrate gender in planning, implementation and evaluation of programs/projects.
Gender is a very critical issue nowadays. Donors, research, development and government institutions place great emphasis on mainstreaming gender in agriculture. This is due to the increased recognition of the role of women in agriculture and the challenges they face to increase productivity and contribute to food, income and nutritional security in farm households. The major challenges include, among others: limited access to and control over productive resources, income, participation in decision making, time constraints and low levels of social capital. However, most of the staff in involved in agricultural programs lack the knowledge, skills and tools to conduct gender analysis to be able to understand the gender discrepancies and use the information to design strategies to address them. Institutions, programs, and projects must have the skills and resources (both financial and human) to address the differing needs of men and women farmers. Most of the agricultural interventions are now market oriented and value chain development is important as services as an incentive for technology adoption and promote equitable benefits among men and women farmers/livestock keeper. Gender analysis skills and the gendered value chain approach will help staff to increase the opportunities available to women and men.
Capacity development is highlighted as one of the priority interventions in the Africa RISING and the Livestock and Fish Gender Strategies, “Increased gender capacity within CGIAR centers, partner organizations and value chain actors to diagnose and overcome gender based constraints within value chains”https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/42170; https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/32843). As part of this priority, a study was undertaken with local partners in Ethiopia to ascertain their gaps in gender capacity related to integrating gender into agricultural programming. Results from this study were used to inform the development of gender capacity development materials and future trainings for partners. Therefore the workshop was organized to equip staff and local partners supporting ILRI's Africa RISING project and the CGIAR's Livestock and Fish research program with the knowledge and skills to conduct gender analysis in agricultural development work, collect sex/gender dis-aggregated data, use of participatory strategies to engage men and women, use of energies to address gender issues and how to integrate gender in value chains among others.
The post workshop evaluation revealed that various participants in the workshop had greater familiarity and experience with gender, but all groups of participants clearly needed further support, training, and assistance to translate gender into practical changes in their work. All participants stressed the excitement and interest in learning practical ways to integrate gender from exercises and tools that were shared in the workshop. They also appreciated the diverse backgrounds of the participants, the ease with which the facilitators shared their knowledge, expertise, and personal experiences, and the fun, interactive ways to engage communities and colleagues in discussing a sensitive topic. A number ofparticipants indicated a desire for more information on project planning and measurement of gender impact, particularly how gender indicators can be incorporated as part of the cycle of each specific project, and how specific projects and activities may contribute to changes measured by more global gender indicators.
To contribute towards continued learning and sharing of experiences in integrating gender in agricultural development programs and projects, a Google group named Africa RISING Gender Action Group’ was created. Detailed information about the workshop outcomes can be obtained from the workshop report (add weblink). The pre and post workshop evaluation results are also presented in the workshop report ( add web link). Seven gender champions were selected to drive the gender agenda within Africa RISING’S action sites. Digital stories were also recorded, capturing participants’ key lessons, how they plan to use the knowledge and anticipated challenges in applying the knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, in order to increase public awareness about gender work and ILRI's commitment to close the gender gap, the gender capacity development workshop was publicized in the Ethiopian Herald Newspaper News article.
Africa RISING-Ethiopia identifies Gender Champions
During the gender capacity development workshop, seven gender champions were identified by the site representatives. The champions will work closely with the gender specialist, scientists and IP technical committee members to integrate gender in the program interventions at Woreda and Kabele level. During the IP facilitation training workshop,sites that had no technical committee member serving as a gender champion (i.e Basona and Lemo) selected one. Who are the gender champions and what's their role?
18-20 August 2014
Africa RISING with the CGIAR research program on Livestock and Fish
Gender capacity needs assessment
Objectives:1. To identify and analyze the factors that hinder efforts to integrate gender into organization programs/projects
2. To identify approaches to strengthen staff capacity to integrate gender in planning, implementation and evaluation of programs/projects.
Gender Capacity Needs Assessment Results
Gender Capacity Needs Assessment ResultsBlog post from the workshop
Integrating Gender into Agricultural Programs Workshop
Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of:
Workshop Agenda
Workshop evaluations
Gender Pre-workshop Evaluation Questionnaire
Gender Pre-Workshop Evaluation ResultsWorkshop report
Workshop Materials
Post workshop reflection
Gender is a very critical issue nowadays. Donors, research, development and government institutions place great emphasis on mainstreaming gender in agriculture. This is due to the increased recognition of the role of women in agriculture and the challenges they face to increase productivity and contribute to food, income and nutritional security in farm households. The major challenges include, among others: limited access to and control over productive resources, income, participation in decision making, time constraints and low levels of social capital. However, most of the staff in involved in agricultural programs lack the knowledge, skills and tools to conduct gender analysis to be able to understand the gender discrepancies and use the information to design strategies to address them. Institutions, programs, and projects must have the skills and resources (both financial and human) to address the differing needs of men and women farmers. Most of the agricultural interventions are now market oriented and value chain development is important as services as an incentive for technology adoption and promote equitable benefits among men and women farmers/livestock keeper. Gender analysis skills and the gendered value chain approach will help staff to increase the opportunities available to women and men.Capacity development is highlighted as one of the priority interventions in the Africa RISING and the Livestock and Fish Gender Strategies, “Increased gender capacity within CGIAR centers, partner organizations and value chain actors to diagnose and overcome gender based constraints within value chains” https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/42170; https://cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/32843). As part of this priority, a study was undertaken with local partners in Ethiopia to ascertain their gaps in gender capacity related to integrating gender into agricultural programming. Results from this study were used to inform the development of gender capacity development materials and future trainings for partners. Therefore the workshop was organized to equip staff and local partners supporting ILRI's Africa RISING project and the CGIAR's Livestock and Fish research program with the knowledge and skills to conduct gender analysis in agricultural development work, collect sex/gender dis-aggregated data, use of participatory strategies to engage men and women, use of energies to address gender issues and how to integrate gender in value chains among others.
The post workshop evaluation revealed that various participants in the workshop had greater familiarity and experience with gender, but all groups of participants clearly needed further support, training, and assistance to translate gender into practical changes in their work. All participants stressed the excitement and interest in learning practical ways to integrate gender from exercises and tools that were shared in the workshop. They also appreciated the diverse backgrounds of the participants, the ease with which the facilitators shared their knowledge, expertise, and personal experiences, and the fun, interactive ways to engage communities and colleagues in discussing a sensitive topic. A number ofparticipants indicated a desire for more information on project planning and measurement of gender impact, particularly how gender indicators can be incorporated as part of the cycle of each specific project, and how specific projects and activities may contribute to changes measured by more global gender indicators.
To contribute towards continued learning and sharing of experiences in integrating gender in agricultural development programs and projects, a Google group named Africa RISING Gender Action Group’ was created. Detailed information about the workshop outcomes can be obtained from the workshop report (add weblink). The pre and post workshop evaluation results are also presented in the workshop report ( add web link). Seven gender champions were selected to drive the gender agenda within Africa RISING’S action sites. Digital stories were also recorded, capturing participants’ key lessons, how they plan to use the knowledge and anticipated challenges in applying the knowledge and skills.
Furthermore, in order to increase public awareness about gender work and ILRI's commitment to close the gender gap, the gender capacity development workshop was publicized in the Ethiopian Herald Newspaper News article.
Participants
Solving gender issue: Solving food security by Kathleen Colverson
http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/interview/item/2392-solving-gender-issue-solving-food-securityAfrica RISING-Ethiopia identifies Gender Champions
During the gender capacity development workshop, seven gender champions were identified by the site representatives. The champions will work closely with the gender specialist, scientists and IP technical committee members to integrate gender in the program interventions at Woreda and Kabele level. During the IP facilitation training workshop,sites that had no technical committee member serving as a gender champion (i.e Basona and Lemo) selected one.Who are the gender champions and what's their role?